Stranded British fighter jet to be moved to Thiruvananthapuram airport's repair facility
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: Nearly two weeks after it made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport, the UK F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet will be moved to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport as it awaits repairs, the British High Commission stated on Friday.
"A UK F-35B aircraft is awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after developing an engineering issue. The UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft," said a British High Commission spokesperson.
"The aircraft will return to active service once repairs and safety checks have been completed. Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for their continued support," he added.
The stealth fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14 and is awaiting a team of engineers from Lockheed Martin, the jet's American manufacturer, to resolve a persisting technical snag.
The advanced fifth-generation fighter, part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific, was returning to its base after completing joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy when it made an emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram.
It was granted emergency clearance to land at the airport after it reported critically low fuel levels.
Authorities -- including the Indian Air Force, Airport Authority of India, and other concerned agencies -- initially expected the aircraft to take off shortly after refuelling. However, a technical malfunction was soon detected, delaying its departure.
A Royal Navy helicopter later airlifted a team of British engineers and a replacement pilot to the site. Despite several attempts over the next few days, the aircraft remained unresponsive to take-off commands.
Currently parked at Bay 4 of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport under tight security, the jet has drawn attention due to its prolonged stay and exposure to persistent monsoon rains, raising concerns about potential weather-related complications.
The F-35B is renowned for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, allowing it to operate from aircraft carriers and short runways. Despite its cutting-edge design, the ongoing issue has left British officials perplexed.
With all local efforts exhausted, the responsibility now falls on Lockheed Martin's technical team, who are expected to arrive soon.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
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UK engineers arriving in Kerala to repair stranded F-35B jet
NEW DELHI: Aviation engineers from the UK are arriving in Thiruvananthapuram to repair an F-35B Lightning jet of Britain's Royal Navy as the aircraft continued to be stranded after making an emergency landing 12 days ago. The aircraft is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the UK's Royal Navy. The jet, worth over USD 110 million and known to be one of the most advanced fighters globally, made the emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14. The aircraft is awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport after developing an engineering issue, a British High Commission spokesperson said on Friday. The UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. "The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft," the spokesperson said. The F-35B is the only fifth generation fighter jet with short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, making it ideal for operating from smaller decks, austere bases and ships. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The official said the aircraft will return to active service once repairs and safety checks have been completed. "Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram international airport for their continued support." The aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions. Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft and it was decided that the support of UK-based engineering teams was needed. Days after the aircraft's emergency landing, the Indian Air Force said it was providing all necessary support for the "rectification and subsequent return" of the aircraft. The HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group carried out military drills with the Indian Navy earlier this month. Known simply as the 'Lightning' in British service, the F-35 model is the short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the fighter jet that is designed to operate from short-field bases and air-capable ships.
Time of India
2 hours ago
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New Delhi: The fifth generation F35-B fighter that has been stranded at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport after diverting from a British aircraft carrier due to a snag, has now been moved to a repair facility. A British high commission spokesperson said the UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. "The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to the scheduled maintenance of other aircraft," the spokesperson said. The advanced jet had to divert to the Indian airport after developing a serious in-flight emergency . While the nature of the technical fault has not been disclosed, it appears to be of a complex nature given that the jet has been stranded for nearly two weeks. "The aircraft will return to active service once repairs and safety checks have been completed. Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed," the spokesperson said.
India Gazette
3 hours ago
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UK F-35B awaits repairs at Thiruvananthapuram airport after engineering issue, says British High Commission
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